Cost of Living in Imphal - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $359 monthly including rent, or $269 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $584 with rent, or $378 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $808 including rent, or $487 for daily expenses alone.

Imphal sits about 74% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (67% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.15 ₹204
$1.21 ₹115
$5.38 ₹511
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.16 ₹775
$6.12 ₹582
$10.20 ₹969
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.39 ₹417
$2.58 ₹245
$6.19 ₹588
Cappuccino
$0.73 ₹69.3
$0.52 ₹49.60
$0.83 ₹78.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ₹43.14
$0.27 ₹25.49
$0.55 ₹52.0
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 ₹14.04
$0.10 ₹9.65
$0.19 ₹18.42
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.03 ₹97.8
$0.82 ₹78.2
$2.58 ₹245
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 ₹305
$2.15 ₹204
$5.39 ₹512
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.76 ₹71.8
$0.64 ₹61.2
$0.86 ₹81.5
White Bread (500g)
$0.88 ₹83.3
$0.44 ₹41.63
$1.32 ₹125
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.43 ₹40.96
$0.33 ₹31.21
$0.54 ₹51.7
Eggs
$1.25 ₹118
$1.25 ₹118
$1.25 ₹118
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.40 ₹418
$2.56 ₹243
$10.22 ₹970
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.87 ₹273
$2.71 ₹257
$3.03 ₹288
Apples (1kg)
$2.51 ₹238
$2.04 ₹194
$2.97 ₹282
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 ₹64.5
$0.43 ₹40.43
$1.06 ₹101
Oranges (1kg)
$0.92 ₹87.7
$0.52 ₹48.93
$2.04 ₹194
Tomato (1kg)
$0.48 ₹45.73
$0.22 ₹20.88
$0.88 ₹83.5
Potato (1kg)
$0.41 ₹38.64
$0.27 ₹25.76
$0.55 ₹52.5
Onion (1kg)
$0.40 ₹38.44
$0.27 ₹25.63
$0.55 ₹52.2
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.52 ₹49.45
$0.17 ₹15.82
$0.87 ₹83.1
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 ₹21.80
$0.15 ₹14.53
$0.31 ₹29.06
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.98 ₹473
$3.52 ₹334
$4.98 ₹473
Wine (Bottle)
$11.56 ₹1,098
$1.71 ₹162
$21.41 ₹2,033
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 ₹141
$1.27 ₹121
$1.70 ₹161
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 ₹131
$0.82 ₹77.5
$1.94 ₹185
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$5.10 ₹485
$4.07 ₹387
$6.12 ₹581
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 ₹31.46
$0.22 ₹20.64
$0.43 ₹41.29
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.25 ₹688
$2.07 ₹196
$12.42 ₹1,179
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.02 ₹97.1
$0.52 ₹49.01
$1.54 ₹146
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.34 ₹31.86
$0.22 ₹20.91
$0.44 ₹41.82
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.65 ₹156
$1.09 ₹104
$2.74 ₹260
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 ₹110
$1.13 ₹107
$1.19 ₹113
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.8K ₹1.1M
$9,810 ₹931.5K
$15.7K ₹1.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.7K ₹1.6M
$13.6K ₹1.3M
$21.7K ₹2.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$67.5 ₹6,413
$15.79 ₹1,499
$119 ₹11.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.07 ₹291
$3.07 ₹291
$3.07 ₹291
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$4.91 ₹466
$4.65 ₹442
$5.18 ₹492
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$5.33 ₹506
$5.33 ₹506
$5.33 ₹506
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$1.61 ₹153
$1.07 ₹101
$2.14 ₹203
Cinema Ticket
$2.68 ₹255
$2.14 ₹203
$3.21 ₹305
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$14.30 ₹1,358
$13.00 ₹1,235
$15.61 ₹1,482
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,394 ₹132.4K
$831 ₹78.9K
$3,637 ₹345.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.98 ₹1,992
$15.74 ₹1,495
$26.23 ₹2,491
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.29 ₹2,022
$21.29 ₹2,022
$21.29 ₹2,022
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$31.43 ₹2,985
$20.95 ₹1,990
$41.92 ₹3,980
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.98 ₹3,037
$31.98 ₹3,037
$31.98 ₹3,037
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$90.6 ₹8,599
$74.6 ₹7,081
$107 ₹10.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$42.54 ₹4,039
$31.90 ₹3,029
$53.2 ₹5,049
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$242 ₹23.0K
$207 ₹19.7K
$311 ₹29.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$183 ₹17.4K
$157 ₹14.9K
$209 ₹19.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$419 ₹39.8K
$280 ₹26.5K
$559 ₹53.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$255 ₹24.2K
$227 ₹21.5K
$284 ₹26.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$181 ₹17.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.35
14
14.7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $90.6 for a central one-bedroom, or $42.54 outside the center. At 50% of the average salary ($181), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $181, while typical expenses reach $359. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $114 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $8.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $7.25 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $34.00).

Cost Highlights

Imphal has the 9th cheapest gym membership worldwide

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is among the 20 cheapest worldwide (out of 7,285 cities)

Rice is cheaper than 99% of cities in Asia

Imphal Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Imphal - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Imphal, India for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value?
Imphal tends to offer a practical value proposition for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find everyday goods, street food, and local services cost less than in many larger Indian cities, while access to markets, parks, and cultural spaces adds to the experience. Housing ranges from compact flats in busy pockets to quieter lanes within a short ride of core amenities, with rents and utilities typically more approachable for a modest budget. Seasonal rains and festival periods can shape crowds and prices, but life stays relaxed. Cost of Living in Imphal, India helps you plan ahead. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods for daily errands before committing.
What does daily life look like in Imphal for housing, food, transport, and coworking options?
To live well on a budget in Imphal, you plan housing and routine errands around the city’s rhythms. Look for rentals in central pockets with good access to markets and public transit, but consider quieter neighborhoods a short ride away for more space. Shopping at local markets and weekly produce stalls helps stretch your budget, and street food offers affordable, flavorful options. For work or study, there are small coworking spaces and cafés with reliable Wi-Fi and friendly vibes. Imphal, India living cost varies by area and lifestyle, so track expenses for a more accurate plan. Tip: Set a weekly meal plan to limit impulse buys.
What are practical budgeting strategies, seasonality, and neighborhood-fit tips to improve your quality of life in Imphal, India?
In Imphal you measure quality of life by pace, access to fresh produce, and proximity to markets and friends. Build a budgeting framework around fixed essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) and flexible spends (eating out, entertainment, local travel). Seasonal events and rainfall influence crowds and prices, so give yourself a cushion during the monsoon and festive seasons. For neighborhood fit, choose areas with easy access to amenities while considering your daily rhythms – quiet mornings versus lively evenings. A mix of work-friendly cafés and green spaces can support focus and recharge. Tip: set monthly caps on discretionary spending and rotate neighborhoods to compare what really fits your routine.
Is Imphal a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
Your money goes further in Imphal than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $359 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is housing affordable on a local salary in Imphal?
About 50% of the average paycheck in Imphal goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Imphal?
Earning $538 monthly in Imphal means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the rental price range for apartments in Imphal?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Imphal range from $42.54 to $90.6, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
Is public transport affordable in Imphal?
A monthly transit pass in Imphal runs about $7.25, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Imphal?
Groceries in Imphal cost around $114 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Imphal?
$1,200 stretches far in Imphal – all-in monthly costs average only $359. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What are the pros and cons of living in Imphal?
Living in Imphal means access to clean air, wellness scene, great local cuisine at about $359 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
How much can you save per month in Imphal?
Monthly expenses in Imphal run around $359, so putting money aside takes more than $538 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Imphal?
Budget travelers love Imphal – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $359 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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